3 burning questions for Chargers in 2020

The Los Angeles Chargers look to bounce back after a disappointing 2019 season.

After finishing 5-11 in a very disappointing 2019 season, the Chargers are hoping to turn it around as they enter the new season in their new stadium in Inglewood, CA.

After some changes to the roster on both sides of the ball this offseason, there are some questions surrounding Los Angeles heading into training camp that need to be answered in order for them to be contender.

Let’s look at those three questions:

What will the offense look like without Philip Rivers?

The 16-year marriage between the Chargers and QB Philip Rivers came to an end this offseason. Taking over under center are Tyrod Taylor and rookie QB Justin Herbert, the No. 6 overall selection in the 2020 NFL Draft.

The main difference between the two and Rivers is from an athleticism standpoint. However, that’s going to be the difference between how the offense was run with Rivers and now with Taylor and Herbert. Rivers was dropping back into the pocket with five to seven steps to buy him time to throw, with very little opportunities to scramble.

With the new system in place for Taylor and Herbert, there will be more pistol formation, more play-action and more run-pass option. The Chargers offense is going to look a lot more like the Ravens offense last season. Head coach Anthony Lynn and Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman coached together in Buffalo in 2015 and 2016.

Taylor and Herbert have the skill sets to run some of the concepts the Ravens do, like zone read and other quarterback option runs, which was hardly ever the case when Rivers was under center for Los Angeles.

Despite the change in offense, Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Hunter Henry and Austin Ekeler will help guide the offense, along with newly added draft selections – Joshua Kelley, Joe Reed and K.J. Hill

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Could RB Joshua Kelley be Chargers’ most productive rookie in 2020?

Los Angeles Chargers running back Joshua Kelley has the makings of a feature back.

Every year, the Chargers have a Day 3 selection that always outperforms people’s expectations in Year 1. In 2019, it was linebacker Drue Tranquill who raised eyebrows.

Could fourth-round selection, running back Joshua Kelley be the player that makes the most noise?

In a recent piece by Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski, he wrote about every team’s impact rookie for the 2020 season. For the Bolts, it was Kelley as he is no-nonsense runner who immediately gives the backfield a more physical presence.

The 212-pound back isn’t simply a short-yardage specialist. His 4.49-second 40-yard-dash speed also makes him a home-run threat.

Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn views the rookie as a potential Pro Bowl talent.

“We feel like he can get to that point, I can tell you that,” Lynn said, per Chris Hayre of the team’s official site.

For some, it may be surprising to not see linebacker Kenneth Murray here given the fact that he’s the only one of the team’s six selections who is seen as an immediate starter.

For the rest of the draft class, there will be a competition to earn one of the spots, and that includes Kelley.

Kelley joins a talented backfield that consists of Austin Ekeler and Justin Jackson. Even though the running back position needed to be addressed heading into the draft, the position was filled a lot earlier than many were anticipating.

After Melvin Gordon left in free agency to join AFC West rivals, the Denver Broncos, the feature back role is up in the air. Ekeler, who signed a four-year contract extension, is capable of manning that, but the Chargers like to use his pass-catching abilities in the slot or out wide, too.

Jackson showed a lot of promise when he touched the ball the past couple of seasons, but he dealt with an injury in 2019 that kept him off the field for the majority of the year.

Insert Kelley.

I mentioned before that Kelley is only being seen as just a short-yardage specialist by many, but I believe he’s going to be used more than that.

While Kelley has the power to run through defenders, which would come in handy in those situations, he also has good change-of-direction, vision, burst, decent speed and passing game ability to make an impact on any down.

Kelley showed that he is capable of taking on a big load for UCLA in 2018 and 2019, receiving 225 and 229 touches, respectively. However, he made the most with them, posting 1,000-plus rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns in both seasons.

For someone that has that type of production and was taken that high over other positions of need like offensive tackle, wide receiver or cornerback, they’re certainly seen as more than just a bruiser.

I expect the Chargers to have a committee approach for their backfield early on in the season, but for them to give the majority of the load to Kelley eventually.

“My work ethic is impeccable,” Kelley said about what the Chargers are getting. “I love the game of football. I’m extremely passionate about it. I’m a consistent runner. Consistency is the key. I’m always looking to get North-South. I like to keep my feet churning after contact. I don’t fumble the ball. I have great ball security.

You’re getting a guy that truly loves the game. I’m competitive and consistent. I’m gonna give it my all for whichever organization I end up with. I’ll embrace any and every opportunity I get. I’m a silly guy (laughs). I have a lot of personality but I take this game very seriously. I’m very excited for what’s next.”

How Chargers offensive line is tackling virtual offseason program

The Los Angeles Chargers offensive linemen appear to be bonding just fine despite having no in-person interaction.

(Photo courtesy of NBC Sport’s Peter King)

The NFL has closed team facilities in an effort to slow down the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, which has resulted in teams turning to virtual offseason programs. Chargers players will participate in virtual meetings and workouts with the team’s coaching staff during the virtual program.

NBC Sport’s Peter King recently got a behind-the-scenes look at what Los Angeles’ virtual offseason program looks like for the offensive line.

The team’s offensive line, meets from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. PT, on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday with new positional coach – James Campen. The rookies and four undrafted free agents do their work separately with Campen and assistant line coach David Diaz-Infante.

Campen joined the Chargers after spending the majority of his coaching career with the Packers and a season with the Browns.

Even though he comes from an old school approach where technology hasn’t been used as much and everything has been accomplished hands on, Campen feels like the transition to the video teleconferences with his group has been smooth for the most part.

Campen teaches a section of the playbook each day. He can open the team’s offensive playbook and call it to the screen and click on a section for the day.

I actually think it’s easier to do now because of the generation we’re in. They all use Surfaces or iPads. They watch film on the iPad, they get the game plan on the iPad. Parents say, ‘Video games are keeping my kid inside. I don’t like that.’ But that has enhanced the teaching ability in the NFL, because players are so equipped to learn this way now, so equipped to use those things. When we were getting used to Zoom, I taught them how to use the ‘Annotate’ button, so they can write on the screen and everyone can see it, and to not talk over each other, and to mute when they’re not talking. We’ll be learning a play, and I’ll say to Mike, ‘Who’s your assignment here?’ Mike [Pouncey] will circle the linebacker.

There’s always a positive about a very bad thing. This thing makes you interact with the guys. Mike and Bryan are good veterans. Their voices are prevalent in the room, and they’re making sure when they get on the field, they can trust these guys to all be on the same page. We’re not dreading these meetings, at all. It’s very different. The only difference between this and normal is we’re not in a classroom together. But we’re accomplishing what we need to.

Campen reunites with tackle Bryan Bulaga, who played under him for nearly all of his professional career with Green Bay. Bulaga was acquired via free agency.

The 31-year old knows what it’s like to have a close bond with his positional group, having been in the league for so long. So he admits that it might be challenging to gain that being limited with training camp and practices, most likely. But the Zoom calls have helped to gain the sense of closeness.

The biggest adjustment for me is going into a place where I really only knew Camp. [Campen formerly coached the Green Bay line.] You want to be somewhere and get to know them. I didn’t know . . . Am I gonna be able to bond with these guys and earn their respect through a computer screen? When we get back to the facility, who knows? It’s probably gonna be training camp, maybe a short one, and you won’t have time to build those relationships. We’re gonna have to jump into those things quick. It’s been very good, though, overall. Guys are learning, picking up the playbook. We’re doing the best we can with what we have.

Being in the league for 10 years, you know how the offensive line bonds. It’s the most unique in every building, I think, because of the personalities. We all log in a little bit early, just to shoot the breeze with the guys for 10, 15 minutes. Maybe you bust balls for 10, 15 minutes. Banter back and forth. Today I got busted up a little bit, because I belong to a country club out here. I don’t see what’s wrong with that. I enjoy golf. Why wouldn’t I enjoy a golf club?

With the situation going on outside, it’s a very difficult time in the country. But for the players, this work has been a positive. Not being in the building has its disadvantages, but I do know I’m also saving my legs a little bit for the season too.

Center Mike Pouncey is entering his third season with the Chargers. Pouncey has yet to be medically cleared after suffering a severe neck injury last season. However, he is hopeful that he will be good to go when the season starts.

For the past few seasons, Pouncey has been the only veteran on the offensive line aside from offensive tackle Russell Okung. But he knows that’s changing with the additions of Bulaga and guard Trai Turner.

It’s a different experience. Most of the guys are new. A lot easier to accept guys when they already have the respect factor from playing in the league. Our league is built with alpha dogs. The biggest part for me and Bryan is to be professionals for the young guys who are learning. They’re on these calls, seeing how we learn, how we conduct ourselves. If you’ve been in the league a while, you’ve seen most of these plays. Maybe the terminology is different, but you can learn it pretty fast.

We got two new guys who’ve played a lot of ball, Bryan and Trai Turner. The veteran transition to the team is a lot easier, because they’re vets. They’re already accepted in our brotherhood. They’re just changing jersey colors. They’ll learn this stuff pretty easily. The whole experience is strange, but it’s the same everywhere.

Maybe we start a new thing. Maybe the first two weeks of this program should be virtual, to protect guys. I’m the union rep for the Chargers. I have really enjoyed the process, made the most of it. Learned a lot of the playbook, probably more than I normally would, because in the building you’d be working out and getting to know the guys.

Starting on May 18, each team can choose to continue its offseason workout program, virtually or on-field, if teams have been allowed to report to their facilities. The virtual period will end and the on-field period will begin for all teams when all NFL team facilities are allowed to reopen. The off-season workout programs must end for all teams by June 26.

What scouts said about Chargers LB Kenneth Murray ahead of draft

NFL evaluators were very high on linebacker Kenneth Murray coming out of college.

The Chargers traded up 14 spots with the Patriots to draft former Oklahoma linebacker Kenneth Murray.

Los Angeles saw the high production throughout the past three seasons for the Sooners, and they were able to witness the great character that he possesses up close and personal when they interviewed him at the combine.

Rated highly by the media, Murray was arguably one of the best players at his position in this year’s class. But how did NFL evaluations feel about him?

The Athletic’s Bob McGinn reached out to three scouts to get a better idea what those in the league thought of him ahead of the draft.

The first scout had high praise for Murray, saying that he believes he was better than Bears’ Roquan Smith coming out of college and that he should have no issue making the Pro Bowl.

One of my favorite players. When you plug in the player and the person you love him even more. He does everything you want. He runs the defense. I thought he was better than Roquan Smith. I don’t think he’s quite as good as a Luke Kuechly. He’ll be a Pro Bowl-type player. He didn’t cover there. They didn’t ask him to, but I think he can. He’s an explosive athlete but he’s not a physical tackler. That’s one of the only knocks I have on him.

The second scout had nothing but good things to say, too, despite pointing out some of his weaknesses with his game.

He can run the show. Just a little bit lacking on instincts and angles. But he’s big, fast and a hell of a kid. He loves football. Great locker-room guy.

Here is what the third scout said:

He’s sideline-to-sideline. Inside, he tries to take on. He’s just not the strongest. He’s more of a slip-and-dip type, which is what you’re playing with now. As far as a modern-day linebacker, he has those traits. Covers well.

Overall, Murray is a quick-twitch athlete who possesses the speed and physicality against the run and pass with blitz ability, projecting as three-down starting linebacker for the Chargers.

Murray does need to dial up his instincts, clean up some overaggressive tendencies as he’s been caught over-pursuing ball carriers at times and develop a better feel in coverage. However, he has the talent and skillset to be a really good linebacker and locker room presence for the next decade.

What scouts said about Chargers QB Justin Herbert ahead of draft

The first scout raved about Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert prior to the draft.

The scouting reports and analysis on quarterback Justin Herbert were a mixed bag prior to the draft.

While many had him pegged as a top-10 caliber prospect, there were some that wouldn’t take him until the third-round.

Rather than what the media thought of the former Oregon and now Chargers signal-caller, how did NFL evaluators feel about Herbert?

The Athletic’s Bob McGinn spoke with a few scouts ahead of the draft to get their opinions on Herbert.

Here is what one scout, who seemed really bullish on Herbert, said:

If the Oregon kid had Alabama’s receivers or Oklahoma’s receivers or LSU’s receivers he’d be the best one. He had nobody helping him. He’s got a cannon arm. He runs 4.6. He’s smart as a whip. He’s not a dynamic leader, but remember, Troy Aikman was not a dynamic leader. I’m not saying this guy’s Troy Aikman, but there’s no difference in this guy and the guy at Duke (Daniel Jones) last year. In fact, this kid is a better athlete. He’s got everything, plus he’s a great kid. If you don’t like that damn quarterback at Oregon put the Rose Bowl on and the Pac-10 championship.

Here what another scout said, debunking all of the talks of Herbert not being able to lead a team because he is “too quiet”.

He took some knocks about his personality. The word ‘introvert’ was thrown around. That couldn’t be further from the truth. He’s just a nice, genuine kid and is comfortable in his own skin.

The third scout isn’t as high on Herbert as the first scout, but he still believes he is a decent player.

I like him, to a degree. I don’t think he’s an elite player. He’s kind of robotic and mechanical. Accuracy’s off. He has the classic looks of an NFL quarterback. That’s that guy that has burned a lot of people in the past. Big, tall, good-looking, interviews well, smart, throws the ball a mile, all that stuff. (Blaine) Gabbert. Jared Goff. Not a lot of vision. Not a really good playmaker.

Overall, Herbert possesses NFL-style tools with his size, athleticism, arm talent, intelligence along with above-average accuracy but he needs to improve his decision-making, passing instincts and consistency.

He is in the perfect situation to clean up the woes to his game, as he will be able to sit in Year 1 while Tyrod Taylor starts and he will be able to clean up any mechanical or mental issues with new quarterbacks coach Pep Hamilton.

Also, unlike at Oregon, Herbert should benefit from a slew of proven pass-catchers.

Chargers bolster trenches in way-too-early 2021 mock draft

The Los Angeles Chargers draft Justin Hebert’s blindside protection in a way-too-early 2021 NFL mock draft.

It’s never too early for a 2021 mock draft, right?

Maybe it is considering we are only a week out from the 2020 NFL Draft. Regardless, Draft Wire’s Luke Easterling put together a way-too-early first-round mock draft. The draft order is determined by 2020 Super Bowl odds.

In Easterling’s mock draft, he sees the Chargers drafting Alabama offensive tackle Alex Leatherwood with the No. 10 overall selection.

The left tackle position was seen as a glaring hole heading into this year’s draft, but Los Angeles elected to not pick a single offensive lineman.

At the moment, Trey Pipkins, Sam Tevi, Forrest Lamp and Storm Norton are the options at the position and while they will have the opportunity to prove their worths this season, there’s a great chance it will be the biggest need next offseason if they don’t pan out.

Leatherwood, the 6-foot-6 and 310 pounder, has made 28 starts so far for the Crimson Tide with 13 of them coming at right guard in 2018. He missed only seven assignments on 752 snaps this past season while holding down a line that allowed only 12 sacks.

Leatherwood is an excellent pass protector who possesses great size, length and movement skills to grow into a very reliable blindside blocker at the next level.

Chargers legend Dan Fouts gives high praise to Justin Herbert

The Hall of Fame quarterback believes that Justin Herbert is in the perfect situation to be successful.

The Chargers drafted quarterback Justin Herbert with the No. 6 overall selection in the 2020 NFL Draft.

While the picked received a mixed bag of opinions, it’s safe to say that one of the best players to ever play for the franchise – QB Dan Fouts – was a huge fan of the pick.

“They’re getting everything they want. Obviously, the physical tools are there, the intelligence is there; the toughness, competitiveness. He’s a good guy,” Fouts said. “(And I say that) not just because he’s a Duck and now he’s going to be a Charger. I’m very excited to watch him play.”

Herbert is the first Oregon quarterback taken by the Chargers since they drafted Fouts in 1973. Fouts led the franchise to four playoff trips and three division titles in a 15-year Hall of Fame career.

Both signal-callers had successful tenures for the Ducks and now, Fouts is hoping that Herbert is able to follow his footsteps at the professional level.

In order for him to flourish against NFL-level competition, Herbert still has things that need to be improved upon. He needs to continue to work on his mechanics and the mental side of the game, including quickening his processor and developing his eye discipline.

However, Fouts believes that Herbert is in the perfect situation to be set up for success, as he’s able to sit behind Tyrod Taylor for the upcoming season and he will now have a proven quarterbacks coach to work with, Pep Hamilton.

“But any quarterback that gets his start in the league as a rookie, there is so much to learn. You don’t even have any idea how much you have to learn, but you do learn every day,” Fouts said. “I think that’s the key. When you’ve got the brain that Herbert has, I think learning will come easy.”

Chargers WR K.J. Hill credits Brian Hartline on preparation as a pro

Chargers wide receiver K.J. Hill gives his position coach plenty of credit for his development the past two seasons.

Former NFL wide receiver and current wideout coach for the Ohio State Buckeyes – Brian Hartline – has had a huge impact on the positional group as a whole since taking over in 2018. But he’s also had an influence on the success of the individuals that he’s coached.

Parris Campbell, who was drafted by the Colts in the second-round and Terry McLaurin, a third-round selection by the Redskins in the 2019 NFL Draft were just a pair of reflections of Hartline’s expertise.

This year, K.J.Hill joined the crop of receivers who attributed their progress to Hartline. After leading the team in receptions (57) and posting a career-high in touchdowns (10) in 2019, Hill was drafted by the Chargers in the seventh-round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

Known for his smooth route-running ability and ball skills, Hill finished as Ohio State’s all-time leader in receptions (201), with 2,332 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns.

In a league where getting open is an absolute must, Hill checks the boxes. Who was the one that taught him the finer details of the position? Hartline. But it was more than just that. Not only did he aide in his development as a receiver, but he helped prepare him for the next level.

“Working with Coach Hartline was the biggest thing I had going for me,” Hill said, per Ric Serritella. He taught me how to be a pro. It was not even from route running. He taught me things like accountability, being a great practice player.

He would just tell us sometimes in practice, like ‘Those things will get you cut in the league.’ So I feel like I got a jump on everybody just because he was my position coach.”

Hartline played for the Buckeyes from 2005-2008. Following his collegiate career, he played in the NFL with the Dolphins from 2009 to 2014 and the Browns in 2015 before retiring.

Now that Hill won’t have Hartline for his guidance on a daily basis, that doesn’t mean he won’t receive the proper mentorship. Keenan Allen, who Hill compares his game to, will be there to show him the ropes.

“I’m a route technician,” said Hill, adding that he used to watch tape of Allen while he was in college.

Even though he was selected in the last round, Hill has the talent and skillset to play a vital role as early as his rookie season. He has the opportunity to win the WR3 job to play alongside Allen, Mike Williams and Hunter Henry in Year 1 and become a major contributor for years to come.

Chargers LB Kenneth Murray saved woman’s life

Chargers linebacker Kenneth Murray is a heck of a football player and individual.

The Chargers traded up 14 spots to draft former Oklahoma linebacker Kenneth Murray with the No. 23 overall selection. Not only were they getting an outstanding player, they were also getting a phenomenal individual with a unique life story.

The son of a pastor and a retired cop, Murray’s life changed in the fifth-grade, when his parents, Kenneth Sr. and Dianna, adopted three special-needs kids through his father’s church.

Nyia, who was 8 at the time, Leonard, who was 3, and James, a toddler, have the same disorder in which part of a chromosome is missing genetic material.

Today, Nyia is 18, Lennie is 14 and James is almost 10. Nyia knows the alphabet and can read at a second-grade level. Lennie and James can’t even talk.

“My siblings, they are my blood,” Murray said. “Even though they were adopted, they’re my blood and I’d do anything for them.

Life took a major turn in July of 2019. Murray was driving home from church only to discover a deaf woman collapsed on the sidewalk. The CPR training Murray learned as a counselor at the church community center would end up saving a life.

“Just happened to be in the right place at the right time. Coming home from church with my girlfriend, happened to just come by a situation that somebody just needed my help,” Murray said.

“Driving home from church, a car flashed, pretty much ran the red light in front of me and they stopped in the middle of the road and a lady gets out of the car and just runs immediately over to like the sidewalk area. So as I pull up a little bit more I could see on the sidewalk there was another lady, female laid out on the ground.

So I immediately parked my car in the middle of the street, get out and immediately rush over to the lady and see what was going on. And when I arrived on the scene she was bleeding from the head, completely unconscious, just laying on the ground. The other lady was her friend, she was screaming and yelling at her, trying to get her to wake back up.

So that’s when I just immediately started CPR. Started CPR, got between 70-80 pumps in and that’s when I finally got her revived, got her back to breathing. Then shortly after that the paramedics arrived.”

For anyone that was in that situation, they might’ve wanted the spotlight, but that wasn’t the case for Murray. He was going to keep it a secret and might have been able to if it wasn’t for a reporter from the Oklahoma student newspaper driving by.

“Two days later I happened to be chilling in the locker room and our media director, Mike Houck, comes up to me and he’s like, ‘hey, did you give a woman CPR a couple days ago?’

And I was like, ‘uuh, yeah.’ and so he was like, well, the kid with the school newspaper was driving by and happened to see a big human being that looked like you that was giving CPR to a woman.

I was just like, ‘yeah, that was me.’ It’s a unique situation, just a blessing to be in the right place at the right time,” Murray said.

Being in the right place at the right time describes Murray to-a-tee, whether it’s on the football field to stop a running back behind the line of scrimmage or being there to save a woman’s life.

“But this man’s intangibles, his presence when he walks into a room – he’s just a natural-born leader and I love that he’s passionate about this game. It just comes through in the interview process that I had with him,” coach Anthony Lynn said about Murray.

1 stat to know about each of Chargers’ draft picks

The Los Angeles Chargers 2020 draft class boasted some enticing numbers from college.

The Chargers came away with an impressive haul of draft picks this past weekend.

We picked out one stat to know about each of the Bolts’ draft picks from their collegiate career. These numbers should make supporters feel even more intrigued about the incoming rookie class.

QB Justin Herbert

Passes of at least 20 yards, 12 TD to only 2 INT thrown in 2019

Throughout his colleigate career, Herbert showed tremendous deep ball touch, along with accuracy, all while appearing calm and cool in demeanor. His touch and accuracy on deep balls is superb, leading his receivers precisely. Herbert wasn’t given many opportunities to air it out due to the high volume of quick throws or pre-determined reads, but when he did, they sure were pretty. When he cleans up his upper body and lower body mechanics along with some mental aspects of the game with quarterbacks coach Pep Hamilton, the throws seen on tape where he missed his receivers badly shouldn’t happen anymore. He should also benefit from having a solid wide receiver corps.

LB Kenneth Murray

146 tackles for loss or no gain since 2017

Murray flies around the football field with his hair on fire, which has translated into his crazy production. The rare combination of closing speed quickness to attack alleys, ability to cover a large amount of ground laterally and tenacious tackling ability will do wonders in the middle of the defense for the Chargers alongside Drue Tranquill to prevent ball carriers from having any success.

RB Joshua Kelley

1,000-plus rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns in two seasons

After transferring from UC Davis, Kelley didn’t fail to produce for the Bruins. The 5-foot-10 and 212 back showed that he is capable of being more than just a short yardage back at the next level. Kelley has great lower body strength, smooth change of direction, vision and burst with passing game ability to make an impact. Kelley is a runner who could make some serious noise for the Chargers for years to come.

WR Joe Reed

106 kick returns, 3,042 yards, five touchdowns

Not only did Reed show the ability to be a yards-after-the-catch (YAC) ace, that skillset was on display when returning kicks for the Cavaliers. Reed is one of only 10 players in FBS history with at least at least 3,000 kick return yards and five kick return touchdowns, averaging 28.7 yards per return in his career. For the Chargers, he will serve as a gadget player, lining up in the slot, out wide and in the backfield to do a variety of tasks, but he should be a special teams stud right off the bat.

S Alohi Gilman

Set school single-game record with 19 tackles (vs. Clemson in 2018)

Gilman might not be an instant impact maker on the defensive side of the ball due to the crowded secondary. However, he will make a huge contribution on special teams due to his his aggressiveness when coming downhill and high-volume as a tackler (as displayed above). Gilman will have the opportunity to earn snaps as the team’s dime linebacker over time.

WR K.J. Hill

Finished as Ohio State’s all-time leader in receptions (201)

The Chargers got excellent value with Hill, who I had graded as a fourth rounder. Known as a precise route-runner, Hill has vacuum hands to reel in any ball thrown his way, showing the ability to adjust to off-target passes and having several one-handed grabs throughout his collegiate career. He should be a contributor in his rookie season, and will do wonders with Justin Herbert throwing him the ball for years to come.